Name: ______Date:______Class Pd. ______

Complex Sentences

COMPREHENSIVE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE2012

I. Identifying Dependent Clauses: Box the dependent clause, circle the subordinating conjunction, and underline the independent clause. Label the subjects and verbs in both the independent and the dependent clauses. Be careful; sentences may contain more than one dependent clause

  1. You must practice every day if you want to improve.
  2. The book which lay on the shelf belonged to the boy who lives there.
  1. After we had run two miles, we were tired because we had not trained.
  1. Everyone who takes Spanish I may take Spanish II if they would like to.
  2. We should leave now before we get stuck in traffic.
  3. Bob doesn’t care whether he passes or fails.
  4. Unless you have permission, you can’t go into that room.
  5. Get your paper so that we can begin the lesson which we began on Friday.

II. Supplying Subordinating Conjunctions: Fill in the blank with a subordinating conjunction that clears up the relationship between the dependent and independent clause in each sentence.

  1. The dog ______chased my brother went home.
  2. ______Becky read the book, she recommended it to her best friend.
  3. The rope ______controls the curtain broke.
  4. The announcer relayed the numbers ______were incorrect.
  5. The customer paid for his groceries ______he passed through the check out stand.

III. Adjective vs. Adverb Clauses: Use your notes and list of subordinating conjunctions to help guide your thinking. BOX THE DEPENDENT CLAUSE/CIRCLE SC.

  1. I like a leader who listens to his men.ADJ. / ADV. CLAUSE
  2. He listened in class although he didn’t take part in class discussions.ADJ. / ADV. CLAUSE
  3. If five people are going to the game with you, will there be room for me?ADJ. / ADV. CLAUSE
  4. Erin is a person who takes responsibility well.ADJ. / ADV. CLAUSE
  5. You called at a time when I was unable to answer.ADJ. / ADV. CLAUSE

IV. Complete Complex Sentences vs. Fragments: Decide which of the following are complete complex sentences and which are fragments (dependent clauses). Write CCXS next to the complete complex sentences and F next to the fragments (dependent clauses).

1.______Because the seminar was most interesting.

2.______I had just left when you telephoned.

3.______After we had done all the work.

4.______Although he is probably very honest.

5.______Since heavy rains flooded the area last night.

V. Combining Sentences to Make Complex Sentences: In the space below each set of sentences, transform each of the following groups of sentences into complex sentences. Select an appropriate subordinating conjunction for each sentence.Remember punctuation rules for introductory, interrupter, and closing dependent clauses. Be careful how you punctuate the sentences.

  1. I had read the book. INTRODUCTORY

I could not remember the ending.

2. These trees will not grow. INTERRUPTER

They are fertilized.

  1. Doraine left her office. CLOSER

Shirley arrived.

  1. I will trust you. INTRODUCTORY

You tell me the whole truth.

  1. Julie sneezed a lot. CLOSER

She was around too many flowers.

VII. Identify Sentence Types: Identify each sentence by writing Simple, Compound, or Complex.

  1. The movie was good, but I enjoyed the book more. ______
  2. Katherine Lee, who was chosen to represent ourschool, could not attend the meeting. ______
  3. The teachers and the students stood together. ______
  4. The car skidded and almost struck a utility pole. ______
  5. Lisa replaced the glass that she had broken. ______
  6. When buses are delayed, students are usually latefor school. ______